Bird Proof to Save Your Roof
by Alex A. Kecskes
When most people think of roof damage, tornados, fires and falling trees come to mind. But pest birds can also wreak havoc with your roof. Whether your roof is made of wood tile or asphalt shingles, birds will find a way to slowly damage it. Birds building nests can cause serious shingle and shake deterioration. The one sure way to protect your roof from birds is to bird proof it.
The fact is, many species of birds access your roof because it provides a prime hunting ground for insects. Their pecking beaks can create gaps between shingles and shakes, or cause excessive wear on a roof's surface. Water can seep into the holes and tears caused by bird damage. Birds can also build their nests under roofing tiles, causing all sorts of problems.
The acorn woodpecker, for example, will often drill closely spaced holes just large enough to accommodate an acorn. The birds will wedge their acorns between or beneath roof shakes and fill unscreened rooftop plumbing vents with acorns. This can lead to expensive repairs. Solution? Bird proofing.
There's also the problem of bird droppings, which are very acidic in nature. This bird waste can eat away at many substrates, especially tar-based roofing materials. Allowed to accumulate, bird droppings will eat into many roofing materials and eventually cause leaks. Acidic bird droppings can also damage roof-mounted air conditioning equipment, attic ventilation turbines, skylights, solar panels, and solar water heaters. Proper bird proofing can save you from all this grief.
Aside from damaging roofs directly, pest birds can cause considerable damage to rain gutters and spouts. Pigeons, starlings and sparrows, for example, often build their nests in rain gutters, drains and corners of roofs where drains are located. This can cause water to rise and seep under roofing tiles, resulting in extensive damage, even collapsed roofs.
Another problem created by pest birds is the potential for a fire hazard. Bird-nesting materials--straw, twigs and dried droppings--can be very flammable. When birds build their nests near AC units, solar panels or other rooftop electrical equipment, the dangers of a fire should never be underestimated.
One final note why you should bird proof your roof: Bird nests can block chimneys and ventilation systems. This can not only spread diseases through your home, but can block airflow, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Bird Proofing the Roof Over Your Head
Today's bird proofing solutions meld science and bird psychology. This has resulted in some very effective and humane bird proofing devices and systems. All are easy to install and highly affordable. Here are a few you might consider.
Bird Spikes
Called the "roof saver," the low tech Bird Spike gets high marks for bird proofing all manner of roofs and structures. The spiked strips have a lethal appearance, but most are blunted and safe for birds, pets and humans. They work because birds simply can't land anywhere near them. Spikes are available in durable stainless steel or stiff, unbreakable polycarbonate.
If you live by the sea, consider using the Mega Spike, which boasts big 7-inch spikes. To bird proof your rain gutters, go with Gutter Spikes. These come with adjustable clamps at the base so you can conveniently attach them to the lip of a gutter.
Marine grade stainless steel spikes are best. You can also get spikes with a crush-proof, non-reflective metal finish. Spikes with a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base are recommended in tough weather. Opt for angled spikes if you have a lot of curved surfaces on your roofline.
Bird Slopes
Pest birds of any feather have a really tough time landing on Bird Slopes. These angled PVC panels are smooth as a baby's bottom and birds simply slide off. They're the ideal bird-proofing device for eaves, ledges, and all those nooks and crannies birds love to nest in. They're easy to mount on virtually any surface using nails, screws or glue. They even come in a variety of colors to match your home's exterior.
Foggers and Misters Offer Clear Advantages
Bird Misters are handy devices that spray a fine mist of food-grade methyl anthranilate in a bird's path. The mist is harmless to birds, pets or humans, but it does bug the heck out of pest birds, enough so they won't come back for a second dose. Some bird misting systems have timers flexible nozzles, which allow you to control the time and specific are to be bird proofed.
Bird Gels
This gooey bird deterrent is quite effective because birds remember it as the stuff that almost trapped them. Bird Gels dry sticky and tacky, tugging at birds' toes the second they land. Safe for most bird species, these gels are ideal for use on ledges, conduit, pipes, and parapet walls. You apply the stuff with a simple caulking gun and it stays tacky for about six months.
Banners, Balloons and the Like
Known as bird proofing on a budget, these reflective foils, shiny tape banners and balloons use basic bird psychology to exploit a bird's natural fear of anything that might threaten them. Some banners and foil tape crackle as they wave to further distract birds. The one thing with these optical distraction devices is that they need to be replaced every so often or birds will simply get used to them.
Electric Tracks
Providing bird proofing with a jolt, Electric Track Repellants gently persuade pest birds to move off you roof and never come back. They deliver a harmless electric shock that won't harm birds, pets or humans. They're the perfect solution for pigeons, seagulls and larger birds. Try to get electric tracks that have a flow-through design to keep water from pooling around them and leaking into adjacent areas.
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